allAfrica.com: Namibia: Langer Heinrich Heralds Nuclear Future (Page 1 of 1)

Namibia: Langer Heinrich Heralds Nuclear Future (Page 1 of 1)

Elma RobbertsWindhoek
NAMIBIA'S progress toward the forefront of the global nuclear power industry has been accelerated by last week's opening of the Langer Heinrich Uranium Mine (LHUM).
At the ceremony on the mine site, President Hifikepunye Pohamba said he is proud of the country's growing importance as a contributor to clean energy generation.

"From this south-west corner of Africa, Namibia's uranium industry is making a significant contribution to the world's carbon-free generation of clean energy around the world.
With the impending shortage of electricity supply in the SADC region, it is prudent for Namibia to keep our strategic options open regarding the generation of electricity.
"This is important for the environment and millions of people around the world.
It is also in keeping with the spirit of the Namibian Constitution, which provides for the maintenance of ecosystems, essential ecological process and biological diversity."
The President urged Langer Heinrich management to enforce strict rules of security and internationally accepted safety standards.
"In this manner, you will safeguard our natural environment and protect the health of your workforce."
As signatory to the Nuclear Non-proliferation Treaty, Namibia complies with all its international obligations in cooperation with the International Atomic Energy Agency, President Pohamba said.
"Our Government advocates the use of uranium for peaceful purposes in countries where Namibian uranium is exported and would be willing and ready to explore those options here as well.
Therefore, the option to explore the peaceful use of nuclear fuel for power generation and other peaceful purposes should not be closed for Namibia."
Many companies from around the world have applied for exploration licences in Namibia in recent years.
Through legislation and regulations Government has created a favourable climate for investors in different sectors, the President said.
The opening of the LHUM is testimony to its confidence in Namibia, he said, and urged other international investors to follow suit.
He pledged that Government would develop and maintain the necessary physical and telecommunication infrastructure to ensure smooth business operations and commercial activities.
"We will also continue to streamline our investment promotion packages and the incentives that we offer to investors," Pohamba added.
"In the near future, the Foreign Investment Act of 1991 will be revised in order to improve efficiency and effectiveness in the quality and level of services offered to prospective investors in Namibia."
Through partnerships between foreign investors and local companies, Namibians can gain skills and experience and investors will contribute to economic growth and empowerment as well as job creation.
With a capital cost of more than N$620 million, LHUM represents one of the biggest foreign direct investments in the Namibian economy in recent years.
The opening of the LHUM marks the most significant and strongest commercial link between Namibia and Australia in the 17 years of the countries' relations, according to Australian High Commissioner Philip Green.
As the world's largest exporter of coal and second largest exporter of uranium, mining is vital to Australia, who has invested more than N$80 billion in mining in Africa over the years, he said, with Australian miners bringing high standards of mining, environmental protection and community development.
Nuclear energy could offer a solution to the two energy-related threats identified by the International Energy Agency, namely, not having adequate, secure and affordable supplies of energy as well as environmental harm caused by consuming too much energy.
Green said Namibia and Australia have the responsibility to ensure that Namibian uranium cannot be diverted in the nuclear fuel cycle from peaceful purposes to that of nuclear proliferation.
The opening of the LHUM holds international significance as it represents the revival of the global nuclear industry, according to John Borshoff, Managing Director of Paladin Resources.
He singled out three key components necessary to succeed with such a project; a good company, a good banker and a good country to work in.
"I believe we have all three here," Borshoff said.
He commended NamWater and NamPower for their standard of service delivery.
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"These organisations performed to an exceptional standard.
They delivered major pieces of infrastructure on time and on budget and are a credit to their country."
All the speakers at the ceremony paid tribute to the late Garnet Halliday, Managing Director for Operations and Development, who died in a plane crash in Malawi a week before the LHUM was officially opened.